Essence Now

The amount of injured in Somalia continues to rise as authorities have released more information about the deadly terrorist attack, saying the man believed to have set the truck bomb that killed over 300 people in Mogadishu, Somalia last Saturday was a former soldier in Somalia’s army.

According to The Guardian, the soldier’s hometown was raided by local troops and US special forces in an operation that left 10 civilians dead, including three children. Investigators speculate that the bombing may have been revenge for the US-led operation. While no one has yet to claim responsibility for the attack, the jihadist fundamentalist group Al-Shabaab is suspected of being behind the deadly event.

Al-Shabaab has waged war in Somalia for more than a decade. They’ve previously detonated bombs against targeted civilians in Mogadishu as well. This year, the organization vowed to increase the attacks after President Trump and newly elected Somalia-American president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed decided to ramp up efforts against the terrorist organization.

The news comes as many question the lack of media coverage surrounding the attack. In Tuesday’s episode,ESSENCE Now discussed the recent bombing and why the incident isn’t receiving more media attention. As of press time, at least 70 people remain missing, while dozens of others are being flown to Turkey for medical treatment. Since the incident is one of the deadliest bombings in the world’s history, many are wondering why there hasn’t been more outcry on social media or coverage of the attack in the mainstream press.

Still, more details are emerging about how the attack was carried out. Two vehicles, a Toyota Noah minivan and a larger truck carrying nearly 771 pounds of military grade and homemade explosives were headed to the airport compound that houses the United Nations, other embassies and the African Union force Amisom.

The minivan was stopped at a checkpoint near the compound where the driver was detained. Hours later, the bomb detonated. Officials believe it was possibly set off by remote control. The bomb in the larger truck was detonated at another checkpoint nearly two miles from the Medina Gate, which guards the compound. The damage has made it impossible to identify the type of truck from the wreckage.

The remains of victims are still being discovered in the rubble after one of the world’s deadliest terror attacks in years. Nearly 400 people were wounded in the attack. With Medina Hospital overwhelmed with the injured and casualties, several patients have been airlifted to Turkey to receive medical treatment. The neighboring country of Kenya is also expected to airlift victims for additional medical care.

On Tuesday, the United States dispatched a military plane to Mogadishu with medical and humanitarian aid supplies.